in, steam still rising from each. “Rissy these people are part of my family; just like Randolf, Svelta, and Charlotte are. They will provide you with anything you may need. I hope that you will grow to love then as I do.” Heidi stated, “Sir she is a very beautiful woman. Why she looks like the one in the portrait in your room.” Johann laughed. “Perhaps she is.” Heidi responded, “Sir that cannot be, for she died over 500 years ago. I think she is her great, great granddaughter, and forgive me for saying so but wouldn’t that make her yours?” Johann just smiled and turned his attention back to Rissy. “Like I said, they are family.” The meal was wonderful and then Heidi brought out the dessert, a large cherry torte. Everything had been perfect and Johann was glad and hoping that Rissy was enjoying herself. “My dear, I hope you are enjoying your stay. I wish it were spring so that you could go out into the gardens.”
He watched her and wanted to invite her to share his room, but knew that now was not the right time for that. He wasn’t sure if it would ever be the right time. Though he seemed quite comfortable and relaxed, it was actually the opposite. The whole staff knew the purpose for him bringing Rissy here, and was a bit worried about what may transpire. Johann had told them to let her do as she wished, though some protested. They had discussed how the memories may be too overwhelming for her, but Johann had made certain that it was understood not to shield her.
He told Rissy that she was the mistress of this house. Heidi called Charlotte as soon as she laid eyes on Rissy. “She is a Moonshower, Charlotte. I can see it within her. Charlotte allowed the girl to speak her mind, and then sternly said, “You know there are things that neither you nor the Mistress of the house knows, but I have always known.” “I followed Johann into that room one day and saw the portrait.” What Heidi said became a bit clearer.” “You are never allowed to go into that room again. I am very serious about this Heidi. That room is very private. He only allows people in there when he feels like it.
For the next few weeks Rissy kept herself busy exploring the house and its treasures. She found the library and was awestruck by the books. Some were even original classics. There was even one of the very first Gutenberg Bibles and it had an inscription.
To my precious love Rissy with all of my love for our wedding April 20th in the year of our Lord and Savior 1455. Johann
Rissy was not sure what to think. The only Rissys or derivations of were in her family. “Had Heidi been right about me being a relative of Johann’s? There’s no way he could be a grandfather to me; he’s much too young and barely in his thirties.” These thoughts ran through her mind and she left the library and went looking for Johann. She could not find him anywhere and became afraid that she had imagined making a trip and someone had bewitched her possibly Wilson for retribution. Johann came around the corner of the garden then and when he saw Rissy he knew something was very wrong. He rushed to her side and she grabbed hold of him. “I…I…I saw the Gutenberg. Please explain. Johann knew it was time for the story to begin. He told her that he would explain tomorrow and that she needed to go lie down and rest.
Rissy rested for several hours and felt better when she came down for supper. “Johann, I really need some explanation.” “I told you tomorrow will be a better time. This cannot be explained now only because there is not enough time to begin. You have already been overwhelmed once today and this will possibly overwhelm you even more.” He looked at her neck and noticed the necklace. “I see you found your necklace.” Instinctively Rissy felt her neck. “My necklace? Johann I don’t have a necklace and I have no idea where this came from.” “It came from the jewelry box on the armoire. Let’s just eat and enjoy the evening.” “I’ll try.” The food was good and the conversation turned to the country side. “Do you ride?” Johann asked Rissy. “Ride what?” She asked. Johann replied. “Horses.” “I’ve never tried. Will you show me?” “Yes, of course I will.” “When can we go?” “In the next day or so. I will have Emmanuel exercise them and make sure they are ready.” “Can we see them now?” “Certainly. Come with me.” They walked out the front of the house and to the left where there was a trail leading into a large pasture and right before the pasture was a large barn with all of the amenities for horses. Emmanuel was there and Johann explained that he and Rissy wanted to go for a ride the next day or so. Emmanuel told them that it would have to be the day after the next. Rissy was excited and felt better. They went back to the house and shared a few glasses of wine. They walked hand in hand up the stairs. Johann kissed Rissy as they stopped at the door to her room and she returned the favor and then Johann headed off to his own room.
Rissy took off the necklace but not before seeing a portrait of a woman wearing the necklace. She was taken aback because the woman looked like her. She stared at it for the longest time and in the lower right hand corner she noticed the author’s signature and it looked like Johann’s. She could not see how it could be though, because he would have to be dead. She tried to sleep but kept having visions of the house and picturing herself wandering around. Sometimes she would see herself as mild and timid but with passion buried deep within and other times she saw herself with unbridled passion and always with Johann. She had visions of parties and dances. There were also some very disturbing visions of being attacked in the house and it almost being torn apart. She saw something about the house being built. She became restless and did not want to be alone.
He was sound asleep when he heard a soft knock at his door. He answered the door and there was Rissy. “Johann, do you mind if I sleep in here with you? I have been having strange dreams and I don’t want to be alone right now.” Johann knew the process of her remembering had begun and that he had been correct that now was the time to come to the house. He decided that it was time to start from the beginning. He knew it would sound like a wild tale to her but it had to be done before Rissy could not take anymore. “Come Rissy and share my bed.” He led her to the bed and they cuddled. He stroked Rissy’s hair and kissed her neck. Rissy felt safe in Johann’s arms and felt that she had made the right move coming to Johann. She loved his touch. She did not care if he lost control; she was safe and love literally surrounded her.
She woke late the next morning and noticed that she was alone. She went to his bathroom to clean up and was amazed by how beautiful it was. There were beautiful platinum faucets and the shower was huge and looked like 6 people could easily fit in. She did wonder how many he may have had in there at one time. She decided to use his shower and loved the shower heads that sprayed from every angle. She was in there until the warm water ran out. When she finished she grabbed the towel she had retrieved from the linen closet and found it was the same cotton from which hers were made. When she looked around she saw her brushes and combs and other toiletries. She fixed herself up and when she went into the bedroom there were several outfits waiting for her. She wondered how this happened and as she was wondering which outfit to wear when Charlotte burst in. “Hiya Rissy. We finally got here. The flight was dreadful however. How are you?” Rissy was startled when the door flew open but then when she saw Charlotte she was happy. Finally there was a familiar face other than Johann’s. Before saying a word she ran to Charlotte and hugged her. “Good lord Rissy put some clothes on. I’m not into girls.” Rissy laughed. “Oh come now Charlotte it’s me and by the way I’m fine now that you’re here.” “Now I know why you haven’t slept with Johann; you’ve been after me all along.” They both laughed. “I’ve missed these little banters.” Rissy replied. “Well hurry up Rissy, everyone is waiting to see you and have breakfast.” Rissy and Charlotte were getting caught up as Rissy was getting dressed and were still talking when they reached the dining room. There Svelta, Randolf and Johann were waiting. Rissy ran to Randolf and gave him a kiss on his cheek and then Svelta a big hug. “I’ve missed you so much. I didn’t know anyone here and that Heidi girl followed me every step.” They all laughed. “She’s always been like that. After I trained her she did the same to me and always asked if she did it right. It took forever to get her to do her own work.” Svelta replied. Rissy then looked at Johann. “Hello my love. I am here now.” “It’s about time. I’m starving.” He laughed. “Well then let’s eat. Everyone is here now.” said Svelta. Rissy enjoyed the sausages and the fresh baked
